Kentucky State Police Post 4 Detectives are asking for the public's help regarding the murder of Officer Jason Ellis with the Bardstown Police Department.

"We are asking any residents in and around Nelson County that may have had trees trimmed or removed from their property or observed someone trimming or removing trees around the time of Ofc. Ellis' murder to please call Post 4 at (270) 766-5078 or email me at norman.chaffins@ky.gov," said Master Trooper Norman Chaffins.

The name of the Bardstown officer killed today has been released. K-9 Officer Jason Ellis, 33, of Bloomfield, KY was a 7-year veteran with the Bardstown Police Department. He is survived by his wife and two sons.

(BARDSTOWN, KY) – On Saturday, May 25, 2013 at approximately 2:53 a.m. ET <x-apple-data-detectors://5> Post 4 received a call of a fatality crash involving a Bardstown Police Officer on the 34 exit ramp on the Bluegrass Parkway in Nelson County. Trooper Mike Garyantes arrived on the scene at approximately 3:16 a.m. Minutes after our Trooper’s arrival he discovered that it was not a motor vehicle crash and that the officer involved had been shot and killed. The Bardstown Officer was in uniform in his cruiser and on his way home from work. This is an ongoing investigation and we are asking the public to utilize either exit 42 or exit 25 on the Bluegrass Parkway as exit 34 will be closed for several hours. I will be at the KSP Post 4 to provide the media with information and updates as they are given to me.